The story of Margaret Clitherow | Pressed to death for her beliefs

Margaret Clitherow, was a Catholic martyr who was sentenced to be pressed to death for her beliefs during the reign of Elizabeth I. Join Kevin Hicks as he delves into Tudor history to explore Margaret Clitherow's life as a wife, mother and devout catholic, and ultimately her execution by pressing. Peine Forte et Dure.
Some viewers may find the content disturbing.
#Tudor #Tudors #TudorHistory #MargaretClitherow #Execution #HistoryChannel
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[@lastjellyontheplate8828]

Gives me the shivers, the things humans do to each other just because they think differently. I'm also afraid that this mentality is still hovering just below our thin veneer of civilization.

[@briannewton3535]

Religion is far from civil.

[@onlyhuman1954]

It is. Just under the surface coils the capacity and willingness to do the most vile cruelties. It is the human condition... And I do not think that will ever leave our species. Violence is ever present, all the way back through the centuries. 😔

[@briannewton3535]

@@onlyhuman1954 I think Steven Weinberg said it well when he said this in an interview _“With or without religion, you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion.”_

[@briannewton3535]

@The Cash Cow Piñata - Hit Me To Get Money Ahh yes, the law where I can purchase slaves to do my bidding was useful. Knowing I can keep them permanently by buying from surrounding nations helped me out immensely. Knowing I can pass them to my son as an inheritance was a nice touch. Being able to beat them almost to death with impunity does take a lot off my mind with regard to legal repercussions. Indeed, where would we be without biblical laws. I was pissed off when I found I couldn't eat shrimp, or wear poly-cotton clothing, as these are against the law, but hey, take the rough with the smooth I guess. Win for the slavery though 😅

[@onlyhuman1954]

@@briannewton3535 there is a universe of sorrow in that observation. Multitudes have died the most hideous deaths...

[@eldorados_lost_searcher]

Couple of things: One of the issues faced by the court that tried King Charles I was that he refused to enter a plea, and instead just demanded to be told by what authority he was being tried. Was there ever a possibility that Charles would have been pressed into entering a plea, instead of his stalling being ignored and the trial proceeding as it did? Also, the old man pressed during the Salem Witch Trials was Giles Corey, who refused to enter a plea because if he pled guilty, his property would be confiscated and sold. If he pled not guilty, he'd be found guilty at trial and his property would be confiscated and sold. By dying without entering a plea, his property passed to his descendants.

[@sameyers2670]

I wonder if that was one of the reasons that Margaret refused to enter a plea

[@jwenting]

@@sameyers2670 probably not, as the property would have belonged to her husband. More likely she wanted to become sanctified by her suffering.

[@davidnewland2461]

I've said else where the Brits of yore excelled in barbaric executions.

[@lovetobe6118]

Both were amazing parents who made sacrifices for their children.

[@alisonkempster4229]

What incredible determination shown by Giles Corey! He must have loved his children very much. Thank you, Garret.

[@MichaelWilliams-tv1bm]

Thanks for telling the story of St Margaret Clitherow. In the 1960's I attended a Catholic Grammar School in Sheffield, and we were split into four Houses each named after one of the English martyrs. One of these was Clitherow House. My House was Lockwood House, named after St John Lockwood, a priest who was executed by hanging, drawing and quartering as late as 1642, under Charles I. Another story told with sensitivity and compassion.

[@nicnaimhin2978]

@Stanly Stud “ As you live your life , so you judge others “ !

[@paulgibbons2320]

​@Stanly Stud people in glass houses should not throw stones.

[@briannewton3535]

@@nicnaimhin2978 What is the problem about highlighting the vile and 'immoral' acts of others? Why should these deeds be kept quiet and covered up by the church that they associate with?

[@hardlines2635]

@@nicnaimhin2978 that comment says more about you than him.

[@nicnaimhin2978]

@@hardlines2635 So easy to pillory the Church these days, eh?!

[@yourneighborhoodxenos]

"I hope it doesn't weigh too heavy on you" he says to send us off. And this is part of why I love this channel so much, you have such immense knowledge and don't waiver on some dark humor in a bright tone to help get us along. Lovely channel, however bleak the stories can sometimes be!

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks Chloe, much appreciated 👍🏻

[@feedthewhale4266]

Not many people around today who would have that kind of courage and conviction. Great video, well researched and well told.

[@angelosusa4258]

God and Mary bless her!! I read about catholic persecutions when studying catholic martyrs. The persecutions during the Protestant aggression was terrible, thank you for telling her story. No one should be killed for Christian beliefs

[@carollewis5931]

Or any religious beliefs

[@darren6202]

@@carollewis5931 Or their Christian beliefs.

[@davidstrother496]

The history of such events, though horrific in nature, needs to be told, and you do a great job of telling it. Regardless of ones beliefs, to stand by them even in the face of such persecution is astounding. She had done no wrong, and no evil, yet she was executed in a most evil way. Cheers from Texas, and thank you for your work.

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks David, I appreciate the comment and support 👍

[@BoycottChinaa]

@@thehistorysquad it'd be worth it to say with your last gasp, "I'm impressed" "depressing" "down with freedom of the press" "I'm pooping for the pope"

[@danquaylesitsspeltpotatoe8307]

Margarets Clit Herow was pressed to death!

[@BoycottChinaa]

@@brendawolszleger4895 I'm sure it feels relevant in those last few hours

[@boku5192]

@@brendawolszleger4895She is literally a saint. All saints were sinners before they got to heaven. I assume you are confused how the word is used here so i'll expalin. In Catholic church people whose souls are in heaven are called saints. The process of canonization "making sure the soul is in heaven" is very complex. Though it is sometimes made simpler by the fact that said person was a martir. (I mean it's the most proven way to judge sicerity of someones faith)

[@terryfowler4893]

Margaret is one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales, there is a relic of Margaret in the Bar convent in York as someone has mentioned, thank you for telling her story

[@timhancock6626]

The Bar Convent got bombed by Hitler as well. A number of nuns died.

[@sforza209]

I thought you weren’t allowed to worship idols but that seems to be exactly what Christians do with martyrs

[@dangomez1269]

As a " Yank" but a historian nerd and thug, I cannot thank you enough for the content you bring to we who are interested in such content. I'm 63 yrs old and have been beating down anyone that mocked my regard for history since I was able to ambulate on my hind legs. Thank you so much for the content you offer. Would love to share a pint or a few with you. Thanks again, keep it up.

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers Dan, I’m always happy to share a pint and chat history 👍 Where about s in the US are you?

[@fangslaughter1198]

We here in Saskatchewan are indeed fortunate to have had Kevin choose to move to our province. I have had the rare pleasure of meeting him in person and sharing a pint with him. Best wishes to you sir.

[@theintellectualsamurai7265]

@@fangslaughter1198 I bet he can tell you a story or two, eh Fang. 🍻kudos. On the story in this video, I am from a fine city not far from York. So to any Leeds United fans out there. Shout out for a big final push. ALAW

[@fangslaughter1198]

@@theintellectualsamurai7265 We met in the Nutana Legion in Saskatoon . Kevin took a break from his work curating the military and arms displays there. He is exactly as he appears! The real deal. Can't wait to make it back again. Cheers!

[@llamamanism]

To “ambulate on your hind legs” nice turn of phrase

[@sherrirose652]

My maiden name is Glithero. My dad was born in England and our name is directly related to Clitherow (thoroughly researched by my paternal grandfather). So interesting to hear of this! Thank you for the history lesson! 😊🇨🇦

[@thehistorysquad]

You're welcome!

[@I-wont-read-your-replies]

You were clit hero w s? The ladies mustve loved you guys

[@sforza209]

Why would it change from clith to glith?

[@sherrirose652]

@@sforza209 I'm not sure

[@rcopterboy]

Pretty common name, under a few different spellings, across the north of England.

[@davidmacdonald910]

I grew up next to Salem, in an area at that time, called old Salem Village, now, Danvers. Giles Corey was from my hometown, and was also pressed to death during the witch trials which you mentioned. I also lived down the street from the Rebecca nurse Homestead, who was also hanged for witchcraft. These people were of great Christian faith. I thank you for presenting this story with such delicacy and accuracy. Keep up the great work.

[@Tjescoo]

I fail to see the importance of you living near certain places..

[@Hypnobunny1]

It was insane what went on at that time sense and reason was forgotten and replaced by greed and superstition. RIP all who were murdered on the say so of children 🙏

[@ashotofmercury]

@@Tjescoo I fail to see the point of your comment.... 🤷🏻‍♀🙄

[@louisecordier9428]

I visited her house in York and have a book about her life. What an amazing woman she was.

[@sO_RoNerY]

Because she was a woman? Aye yi yi.

[@aaronlechner9290]

When I was doing my graduate studies at the University of York I would pass by St. Margaret's house in the shambles nearly every day. I know my own Catholic faith was reinforced with each passing. Thank you for sharing this story!

[@boofuls]

Don't suppose you remember what her front door was like 😯

[@joannshupe9333]

It has always been explained in America that pressing was not exactly a form of execution, but torture to force you to plead. In Giles Corey's case his refusal to plead meant that his property could not be confiscated as it would have been if he had been found guilty by a court.

[@dougaldouglas8842]

There was even worse under the Papal autocrasy.

[@haramaschabrasir8662]

It's important to tell such stories. Those people die a second time if their story stops being told.

[@janelockwood347]

I visited Saint Margaret’s house last summer in York. It was a very sobering experience, one can almost feel the piety of that lady. Thank you for telling her story.

[@baronedipiemonte3990]

This was very informative. As a Catholic, I'd not heard of this before. "Standing Mute" is frowned upon in American courts, but those who do at arraignment are by jurisprudence considered to have plead NOT Guilty.

[@kennethlowrie995]

I was a federal prosecutor in Detroit, Michigan a number of years ago. Standing mute at arraignment was a common practice when I was there. After a criminal defendant stood mute, the judge would enter a plea of not guilty. The thought was that to enter a plea would be an acknowledgement of the court’s jurisdiction and a consent to be tried.

[@jwenting]

back then it was neither a plea of guilty or not guilty, but a sign of rebellion against the authority of the court (and thus the government that court represented) which was a worse crime than just about any other. And if the court was already unlikely to side with you anyway, and sentence you to death (which was almost certain in cases like this) it really didn't matter. Pressing or burning at the stake don't make all that much difference, you're dead by a horrible method either way (and pressing MAY even be quicker and less painful, though I'm not willing to put it to the test, obviously).

[@joshuaowens4011]

ur religion is distugsting

[@PeterMaddison2483]

@@kennethlowrie995 Would that not make the judge the defendants lawyer as they entered a plea on their behalf.

[@kennethlowrie995]

@@PeterMaddison2483 No

[@yoptastic8463]

Excellent video again Kevin, I live 50 miles from York and yes Margaret is a prominent figure in York history. Pressing was certainly a gruesome way to go and many accused of witchcraft died that way. 👍😊😢

[@grahamhanks906]

As a catholic I remember a school trip toYork in the early 1970's, and one of the places we visited was Margaret clithero's house. Back then her hand was displayed in a glass case inside the house. I believe they have since transferred the hand to the Bar Convent (another place with an interesting history). I've stayed at the Bar convent on several occasions, but never realised until recently that her relic was housed there now.

[@josephseverino674]

Great video Kevin, Saint Margaret a very brave and honorable woman,i wouldn't be surprised the people of York admired and felt sorry for her at that time, Catholic or not.

[@EtonieE25]

And after alllllll the torturing was over the said perps popped off to the local church and worshipped God!

[@inoshikachokonoyarobakayar2493]

Amen

[@ruthd7274]

We are all sinners. 🙂

[@adamwoodhouse7865]

Great telling as always Kevin, bringing the lives (and horrors) of the past to us listeners

[@tombriggs-bradford964]

Summat wrong here,.

[@balancedactguy]

Nice video Kevin!! BTW,...the name Clitherow makes me think of the English town of Clitheroe in Lancashire where a friend of my Mother once lived before moving to Newton Abbot in Devonshire. For a small town of only about 16,000 inhabitants now, Clitheroe still boasts of having the Smallest Norman Castle on record, CLITHEROE CASTLE! My mother visited her friend there once and together we visited her twice in Newton Abbot. It was on one of those trips to the UK that I got to see Warwick Castle!! Have a nice Weekend Mate!! The "Pints" are on me!!! (just send me the bill!!😂)

[@thehistorysquad]

😃 cheers buddy

[@balancedactguy]

@@trollmeistergeneral3467 😂😅😂🤣😅 The TROLL HAS APPEARED!!😂🤣

[@thehistorysquad]

@@balancedactguy and deleted 👍🏻 No room on here for that

[@balancedactguy]

@@thehistorysquad Thank You Kevin...you're a right Proper Gentleman!!

[@johnwilletts3984]

Margret also taught the Catholic Faith. One of her pupils was Guy Fawkes along with two of her nephews who also took place in the Gun Powder Plot. At the time of the execution in 1686 Guy Fawkes was 16 years old. This was the start of his radicalisation that led to him attempting to blow up parliament in 1605. incidentally the house on the shambles that has become a shrine to Margret is the wrong one! The council got the wrong address because the street numbering system was changed. Margret actually lived in the house opposite!

[@thehistorysquad]

😜 brilliant, thanks

[@carolynwatson4301]

Giles Corey was killed the same way. He was accused of practicing witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts. He refused to say he was a witch so they tortured him by pressing. He simply said "More stones". Supposedly he cursed the sheriff of Salem. Every single one died of either a blood problem or heart problem. A few years ago the moved the sheriff's office and the curse was confounded.

[@thethirdchimpanzee]

And if he had said "Yup, got me! I'm a witch!" I assume that they would have what...burned him at the stake!? Damned if you do, damned if you don't!

[@carolynwatson4301]

@@thethirdchimpanzee yep

[@virginiadare1587]

​@@thethirdchimpanzee Hanging would be more likely since there was no burning at the stake in Salem.

[@briannewton3535]

I find it entertaining that those who worship the all powerful, and all knowing god of the bible would think that their god can't sort out a handful of witches without their help. It's as if this all powerful being simply doesn't exist 😅

[@carolynwatson4301]

@@briannewton3535 These were greedy people using God as the excuse for evil behavior. That unfortunately has been going on since the beginning of time. We have free will and what we do with it has nothing to do with whether there is the being called God or not.

[@sklenars]

Just an addition to this story. Margaret had refused to attend protestant services. A record was kept of those not showing up at the church door as attendance was compulsory for everyone including Catholics. She did attend one service which made her very uneasy as it was contrary to her firmly held beliefs. She was betrayed by a young dutch boy who was visiting the household. He was threatened with torture if he didn't reveal where the priest was hiding. When the time of her execution came the two officials tasked with this gruesome duty fled and they had to use two hopeless beggars from the street to do the dirty work. Her final words as she was being crushed were Jesus, Mary, Jesus Mary. A true martyr

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks for the extra detail there 👍🏻

[@lovetobe6118]

I wonder if they fled because they had a heart.

[@sklenars]

@@lovetobe6118 Probably because she was a woman and pregnant. Even the hardest heart would be repulsed. When Elizabeth I heard of the execution she too was horrified as this type of extreme cruelty was designed for men only although not stated legally. The sheriff of York was eager to gain brownie points from his Queen by showing how stringent he was in carrying out her edicts.

[@bfiedelman5575]

The procedure was not designed as a means of execution. It was designed to extract a plea so a trial could be commenced and a guilty verdict meant forfeiture of your property. If you refused to plead, you would be dead from getting crushed to death, but your heirs would inherit. Most of the medieval criminal practices involved property like this one or for nobles Bills of Attainder in which the estate was seized by the Crown.

[@thehistorysquad]

Yes, although Margaret had no property, it all belonged to her husband.

[@imgoingtocountdownfromthir4580]

My secondary Catholic school had different "houses" named after English Martyrs, Fisher, Moore, Barlow & Clitherow, we went on a trip to York in July 1984 to see Margaret Clitherow's house, as well as York Minster, it was a scorching hot day, our train journey back to Manchester had many delays, due to the weather, later on that night, York Minster was almost destroyed by fire from a lightning strike!

[@michaelpage4199]

Wow. It just amazes me how much effort was put into developing these painful ways to put one to death.

[@Ardass486]

The roaring bull has to be the worst. Horrible, even the Devil would never have endorsed this.

[@Bearwithme560]

I guess there were psychopaths back then as well.

[@hannahbrown2728]

The "own front door" detail hit like, well, 15 minutes of pressing.

[@obscurazone]

I'm from York : ) I'd very much recommend a visit to her house and the Shambles. It's a very unique glimpse of the past, a time capsule. Not many places like this exist in the UK anymore.

[@22grena]

That was not a sad story at all. It was an inspiring story of courage and faith.

[@ella5319]

This sad story is the best example for the wisdom of seperation of church and state. Thank you.

[@22grena]

Not sad. Inspiring.

[@ella5319]

@@22grena Very inspiring.

[@tiascot6541]

I have learnt so much from watching your channel Kevin. Fascinating history combined with your wonderful story telling & models.

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks Tia 👍

[@mattg9689]

There is a very graphic depiction of this in the mini series "gunpowder" about the gunpowder plot. Although the character in the series isn't clitherow, it is based on her story.

[@FelixstoweFoamForge]

I remember watching a BBC Dramumentary about Margaret Ckitherow when I was a wee kid in the late 1970's. Really had an impact on me. I simply cannot put myself in the mindset of the many people, of ALL denominations, who gave their lives, often in ghastly ways, for their faiths at this period. It's strange isn't it, that we look at Henry VII and think; "Fat, Syphilitic Tyrant", and Elizabeth I and think "Great Virgin Queen", and yet her government executed far more people the Fat Henry's did? Of course, they CLAIMED it wasn't for religion. ( I don't believe a word of it). OH, and a quick note to all the people who commented with jokes like "it must weigh on you, etc; IT'S NOT BLOODY FUNNY, This woman's ribs burst out of her chest before she died.

[@giltineful]

Of course they claimed it wasn't for religion, otherwise they would have to put Elizabeth at the same level of her sister Mary, if not worse.

[@hetrodoxly1203]

You had know choice but to be ruthless if you were a British monarch, you wouldn't have stayed being one for long if you wasn't, many people wanted your position especially Catholics and when they were in charge they were no less ruthless in their persecution of protestants.

[@giltineful]

@@hetrodoxly1203 all the Catholics martyrs that went to the block pleaded innocent of treason and prayed before dying for the Queen. You can read the speeches of St. Edmund Campion, St. Robert Southwell and St. Philip Howard, who are some examples.

[@hetrodoxly1203]

@@giltineful I think it was similar for the 287 Protestant martyrs.

[@giltineful]

@@hetrodoxly1203 not entirely sure, since Cramner tried to prevent Mary to become Queen, when it was in her own right by the succession act of Parliament from Henry VIII. Besides, Mary applied laws against heresy that were made by Richard II, Henry IV and Henry V, British rulers in their own right. And finally, if the Protestants were so much better and forving that the Catholics, why have they acted even worse?

[@kirkmorrison6131]

I converted to the RC Church because of Matthew 16: 12 - 18. I believe it was something similar for her.

[@gerrytyrrell1507]

Welcome.home Sir

[@basilbrush9075]

Those were some of the least convincing words I've ever read

[@timothy4557]

​@Gerry Tyrrell I smell brimstone.

[@lorrainewhitehead9080]

You misunderstood those verses in Mathew, it clearly says in 1 Corinthians 10:4 “For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.” Also in Psalm 78:35 says that God was their Rock.

[@kirkmorrison6131]

@@lorrainewhitehead9080 Christ would have used Cephaus Aramaic for Rock both times he was giving Peter a special blessing and by extension those who filled his position as head of the Church. You state what I used to believe until I took Greek, Latin, Hebrew and Aramaic. I then wrestled with it and prayed about it for several years. I know I made the right decision for me.

[@kilcar]

I had a distant cousin in Northwest Donegal Ireland who in the 17th or 18th century who as a Roman Catholic Priest was chased down by Crown Soldiers hounds who tore him apart. I stood at his grave at Tulagobeghley Cemetery . His headstone shows two rampant hounds. Thus why the American Constitution forbids " Cruel and Unusual Punishment".

[@johnspizziri1919]

Thanks Kevin. Your way of history is very personal and intimate.

[@Richard-fv7rq]

Another fascinating yet terrifying story from the past. There were some sadistic sods then (and still are).

[@Ian-mj4pt]

Yippee another Friday treat thanks Kevin always makes ny day and as usual educational 🎉🎉

[@thehistorysquad]

Excellent, thanks Ian 👍

[@francesaggarwal22]

Great video Kevin . I live in York and I attend the Saturday Mass held in her house at 10am.Did you know her hand was preserved by her friends and you can still see it in the chapel of the Bar Convent on Blossom Street . It's in a good state of preservation as it is mummified so it's not scary.

[@thehistorysquad]

I didn't know that Frances, thank you 👍🏻

[@JamesFromTexas]

Awesome work, as always!

[@conemadam]

You provide historical details that we cannot get enough of! Wonderful stuff! Thank you so much.

[@nichy777]

Great stories, and great story telling. Always a treat to here what you have to say Kevin.

[@DannyBoy293]

I went to a roman catholic school in York and it was attached to an active nunnery. When i was 13 we were taken to the chapel and they claimed to have her hand hidden underneath the floor boards. Alas, they removed the floor boards and revealed this horrific green shrivelled hand from the floorboards encased in a Victorian dome glass case. I remember it vividly, whether it is true or not i cant tell you but what i can tell you was that the hand was certainly real and the nuns used to pray to it often. Very strange memory but this brought it all back! Thanks for your videos sir, I love them all!

[@thehistorysquad]

What a memory 👍🏻

[@fredsimmons2793]

What details you give Kevin,the weight of this incident is impressed upon my mind.What a touch you have sir.Theres always two sides to every story.

[@thehistorysquad]

😜 thanks Fred

[@user-yx7dp2pl8t]

I think even if the story was fictional, something completely different to what we have here, you could do a great job at telling such a story and making it believable with credibility, Kevin

[@santoshnadar]

What was the real story? Please share reference

[@user-yx7dp2pl8t]

@@santoshnadar I'm not talking about this story

[@santoshnadar]

@@user-yx7dp2pl8t ok

[@thehistorysquad]

Yes the story here about Margaret Clitherow is most definitely real. A quick Google will show you links 👍

[@briannewton3535]

What makes you think the story was fictional? Those who worship the Abrahamic god have been brutally imposing their will on those who do not share their beliefs over the years since Christianity was created, and continue to try and persecute those who do not agree what the bible teaches. I guess you are also unaware of the crusades kicked off in 1095, by Pope Urban II. Then The Spanish Inquisition to run between 1478 and1834, slaughtering a bunch more. Christians have been slaughtering others who don't share their beliefs since Christianity began. This story is just Christians killing other Christians because they wern't a 'true Christian'.

[@woody816]

This is a fantastic channel that deserves way more subs. Absolutely love the content. Please keep them coming as it's so interesting to see how people were centuries ago. How about some highlander history. From a proud highlander and Scotsman 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🥃🥃👍

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers Woody, I appreciate that. I promise I’ll get around to some Highlander history one day, a worthy topic for sure 👍

[@woody816]

​​@@thehistorysquadlease not Culloden 😭😭😭 lol I live very close by. Could see it from back window until they started building houses everywhere

[@MrByrneyboy]

Really interesting, thank you. My primary school in Kent was named after her

[@YorkistRaven]

Elizabeth's regret strikes me as a day late and a groat short. She had plenty of innocent people executed, like her father and grandfather, may their names be erased. She was part of the whole forced conversion thing started by h8, the self declared pope of England. BAH! G-d rest the soul of St. Margaret Clitherow, one of the bravest women I ever heard of!

[@giltineful]

Exactly, a convenient regret, she was very famous for that. Another example of her spiteful side, was when she left St. Philip Howard Earl of Arundel rot for 11 years in the Tower of London just because he was a Catholic, never allowing him to see his wife and children. If it wasn't for the outrage that followed St. Philip's death sentence after a sham trial, where false evidence was brought forward, Elizabeth wouldn't have minded sending him to the block, but she got cold feet because neither she nor her Council expected such reaction. Still, she bullied out of sheer antipathy St. Philip's wife and didn't honour her promise to the Earl, that before dying he could see his wife and children.

[@Alan_Misc]

Thank you so much for the video. This was especially (sadly) informative as I went to St Margaret Clitherow Infant and Junior RC school in Herts, England back in the late 80s / early 90s!

[@inyrmind]

When you mentioned that pressing was used in the Salem witch trials I remembered that the man they were pressing supposedly didn't say much during the entire process except for two words, "more weight" Now I'm not sure if that was all he said or if this is just me not remembering properly but you still have to admire the tenacity of these people.

[@fangslaughter1198]

I remember hearing that.

[@thehistorysquad]

Yes, I believe the chaps name was Giles Corey 👍

[@GenaF]

I love the way this chap tells us about our past. Margaret Clitherow was determined to be rebellious even knowing what could/would and did happen to her

[@auntievenom9619]

Another excellent video. The history of the Tudors is fascinating.

[@andrewmcneil6668]

I don't know you and I only recently subscribed, but I want to thank you just the same for your fantastic videos and real history lessons. I watch every one of them and wait for the next. Thanks again.

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks so much, I really do appreciate that 👍

[@arthurdoucette1786]

Greetings once again from nova Scotia, fantastic video Kevin, that's a story I've never heard of before, I agree with your statement, this was a very scary time to be a man of, well,any faith. Keep the good stuff coming, as always best regards, Arthur

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers Arthur 👍🏻

[@kathleencobb7896]

Yes, what a story! I have never heard of "pressing." There were some twisted, evil sickos back in those days concocting these torture measures. She became a Saint in honor of her beliefs. St. Margaret had the last word. Best Wishes to you! Great historical storyteller. Have a Grand Day. 🇺🇸😀

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks KC, you too 👍🏻

[@kittys.2870]

About Pressing was taught in grade school

[@briannewton3535]

Indeed, when one follows a sicko doctrine, and worships a bigoted and genocidal sicko, I guess it will naturally follow.

[@jeningle8288]

Again, very interesting, thankyou. I do remember spending time in York many years ago and visiting a very small church which I think was connected to Margaret, but can't think why. I need to research !

[@SteveMikre44]

Just earlier today I watch a short video tour of the tour of The Church of St Margaret of Antioch. Great History Squad episode Kevin...👍

[@thehistorysquad]

Hi Steve, sorry it's so late in getting back to you to thank you for your SUPER. I've been away in France for a few days, but really appreciate your kindness and am glad you found the video interesting. All the best Kevin👍🏻

[@d.g.n9392]

Thank you Kevin for your stories. Can’t imagine the pressing. I was able to visit York about 40 years ago, and actually had my photo album out a few days ago looking at York streets scenes 🙋‍♂️🐈🐈

[@thehistorysquad]

Nice, it’s a lovely city.

[@johnstuartkeller5244]

I was there just last week, during my adventure across Great Britain!

[@JordanCrecy]

I absolutely love York. I would recommend going to Micklegate Barbican (you probably already have). It is in decent nick, considering that it dates to (I believe) the 1300s. Edward IV also stuck the heads of Lancastrian nobles who were executed at Towton (if I’m not misremembering) on top of it. You really get a feeling of history in that city. The minster is also fantastic! Thanks again for the content Kevin, you’re continuing to enjoy your retirement I see! Look after yourself.

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers buddy, will do 👍

[@skywalkershaun1]

It makes you want to build a time machine, go back, and dispatch these evil people making these evil rules. Such a sad story.

[@juanduran345]

Thanks for the story Kevin. How do people come up with such creative methods for torture and death? Why can't we all just get along?

[@jwenting]

There are far more creative ways... Slower ways too, which is where most creativity used to strive for, prolonging the process. These days executioners want to get it over with, back then they wanted to make it last for the entertainment of the crowd. The Chinese and other Asian societies were especially creative, and this was used to great effect on western prisoners of war in WW2, Korea, and Vietnam. Compared to what those sadists came up with the medieval Europeans were amateurs of the trade of torture.

[@greasylimpet3323]

I've thought that ever since I first started school. When you think about it, war is nothing more than people who never grew up getting others to do their fighting for them.

[@briannewton3535]

I think when the imagination of mankind can create supernatural beings, and then one or more disagrees with the claims of what others suggest their supernatural being decrees and is capable of doing, it is left to those with the vivid imaginations to torture each other, rather than these all powerful and all knowing gods to sort out. Religious folk are irrational, and irrational folk do irrational things.

[@ragecharacter4743]

Hey Kevin hope u and you're family are well. Your videos are always really interesting. Thanks for the upload.

[@uptonsavoie]

A very good, short account of the story of this remarkable woman. I think today's people find it incredible that refusing to plead gets one a worse death than pleading and then being convicted--not that being hanged, drawn, and quartered is a picnic. March 25th, the day of her execution, was known as "Lady Day" and was the feast day of the Anunciation by the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary--isn't that an especially ironic day to press a woman to death?

[@a.azazagoth5413]

I find faith to be a beautiful thing. Not the extremists, just the faithful. They are calming tone in the company off.

[@johngameson9768]

The Convent in St Marychurch Torquay is Called Margaret Clitherow House Kev , must have built in her honour, I've been too her House in York too ,

[@tibzig1]

Thus, it can be safely concluded that there is nothing "Merry" about "Merry old England!" 🤣🤣

[@blackmini1965]

Thank you! My family, for obvious reasons :), have always had a fascination with Margaret's story and we've visited her shrine many times. One theory about her refusal to plea was that it would have allowed other witnesses to be "questioned" under duress. As a side note... the Clitheroe men always seem to marry very assertive and outspoken women. I fear for my sons! ;)

[@thehistorysquad]

😂 Thanks for watching and your comment Sean.

[@Celisar1]

Fear not: assertive and outspoken women are a blessing unless you are suppressive and avoid the truth.

[@finolaomurchu8217]

I'll light a candle for Margaret Clitheroe what a woman.☘️👍

[@jujumulligan43]

Although brutal facts from the past that reveal how depraved and evil human beings can be towards one another, it is important that you share this history. Can mankind ever wake up to realize how truly connected we are. Differences between us, unfortunately still exists today. A great and interesting job you do to reveal this dark history.

[@briannewton3535]

What do you mean when you say "Can mankind ever wake up to realize how truly connected we are" ?

[@passionforlust]

Just started watching, interesting yet terrible times they were, poor souls. Thanks Kevin and all, have a great weekend!

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers Dan, will do. I’m actually in France ATM, visiting Verdun 👍

[@passionforlust]

@@thehistorysquad Lucky you, cheers again!

[@nickjones6186]

Thank you so much for such fascinating content!

[@kevdimo6459]

Thanks Kev! I’m not sure I’d like to have lived in those times. I’m not religious at all so I can’t think of how they’d take my stance on the subject of religion. Great story mate and I look forward to the next. 👍🏻

[@Mykee1997]

Giles Cory was the man put to death as a witch by being pressed to death in the same manner as Margaret Clitherow, as a result of the witch trials. Toward the end of his execution by being pressed, the executioner asked to Corey to confess and he simply stated "more weight".

[@allanburt5250]

Poor Margaret what a way to go... I have visited York many many times over the years fantastic city, been in to see her house and shrine on the Shambles on a few occasions.

[@Hypnobunny1]

Been to her house many times her front door would have been really heavy she was a very brave lady 🙏

[@josephinequinn8782]

Thank you for another well explained history lesson. And yes it does weigh heavily on my mind as a horror tale!!😂🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@dmcarpenter2470]

Kevin, another outstanding snippet of history.

[@beeftec5862]

The power of religion in those days is a fascinating insight into humanity. Great vid Kevin, could you do something on an obscure fact/situation from the first world war era?

[@thehistorysquad]

Yes, WW1 is another favourite topic of mine and I know I haven’t done too much on it really, just what’s in the playlist. I’ll five some thought to something a little out of the norm 👍

[@briannewton3535]

The power of religion is still ever present. Irrationality is a human trait, and those wishing to exploit this will head up religious groups.

[@margaretdrew2844]

Thank you so much for this bit of history . My husband and I went to for a few days break to York . I saw the place guy Fawkes was born .sorry to say missed that lady’s story .

[@martynb901]

I enjoy these videos but I happen to know a bit about this case and I'm afraid this portrayal isn't entirely accurate. A minor point is that the sharp stone was placed under her heart, not her neck. She wasn't asked to pretend she was pregnant - the concensus was that she probably was pregnant, and she suspected so herself. But main thing is that title contradicts the video itself - she was definitely not pressed to death for her beliefs. It was only because she refused to enter a plea despite being begged to do so by the judge, who told her the evidence against her was so weak that she would probably not be convicted.

[@lovetobe6118]

What wikipedia says is that she allowed herself to be pressed to prevent her three children from being tortured to force a confession from them. "She refused to plead, thereby preventing a trial that would entail her three children being made to testify, and being subjected to torture." If the judge really was on her side he would have at least permitted her to wear the shrowd she requested since she was willing to be executed, but didn't want to be executed while naked. The judge denied even that request.

[@martynb901]

@@lovetobe6118 That's not true. Her children would never have been tortured, and confessions from them weren't needed anyway. She wasn't allowed to wear the shroud but it was laid over her. The judge and numerous others, Catholic and Protestant, tried to get her to enter a plea. She seemed to want to be a martyr.

[@lovetobe6118]

@@martynb901 I mean multiple websites seem to talk about that aspect. Do you have a link that shows evidence to the contrary? I am just not buying that she wanted to become a martyr in one of the most painful and embarrassing forms of executions especially while pregnant. www.vetch.co.uk/smc/St%20Margaret%20Clitherow.htm

[@martynb901]

@@lovetobe6118 Most of what is known about Margaret Clitherow comes from an account by her priest and confessor John Mush, who wrote The Life and Death of Mistress Margaret Clitherow, avaliable from the Internet Archive. Here are some extracts from the lead-up to her sentence of being pressed to death: Judge: ‘Good woman, I pray you put yourself to the country. There is no evidence but a boy against you, and whatsoever they do, yet we may show mercy afterward.’ She ignored this, and when told of the sentence of pressing he was bound to pronouce under the law for anyone not entering a plea, she replied: I thank God heartily for this.' Judge: 'Consider of it - you have a husband and children to care for; cast yourself not away.’ Margaret: ‘I would to God my husband and children might suffer with me for so good a cause.’ Judge: Although we have given sentence against you according to the law, yet will we show mercy, if you will do anything yourself.' Margaret: ‘God be thanked. All that He shall send me shall be welcome.’ She was examined by several local women who couldn't be sure that she was preganant but believed she probably was. When she was asked, she also wasn't completely sure but said she ‘thought rather she was than otherwise’. People begged her to have the sentence postponed on those grounds, but she refused. Bear in mind that they weren't asking her to plead guilty - just to enter any plea.

[@martynb901]

@@lovetobe6118 And by the way, her body was not just left at the place of her execution. It was removed after a few hours and buried without ceremony somewhere on the edge of town. But it was then removed in the night by Catholic supporters and buried in a secret location, no doubt according to Catholic rite.

[@bernadettemurray8260]

One of our houses at senior school, St Anthony's Sunderland was named after her and remember the horrific story of her crushing.

[@BathtubBass]

Hope it doesn't... weigh to heavy on you.... brilliant! Hahaha! Great video as always, terrible, terrible way to go though!

[@JohnyG29]

too* heavy

[@rayvanhorn1534]

Came across your channel & really enjoyed this unusual story. As a lifelong student of history I find these peculiar events fascinating & your presence, delivery & easy-going manner keeps the viewer’s attention. Subscribing & look forward to more.

[@thehistorysquad]

Hi Ray, thank you & welcome to the channel. If you have a moment, take a look at some of our playlists for other videos 👍🏻

[@BleedEaglesGreen023]

I've been to Salem and seen where the witch hunts went down, it's very cool to see. Margaret was very brave to go through being crushed and not give up her faith.

[@jonetyson]

Religion is a big lie. Those who believe it do stupid things.

[@tommyboy2607]

Great video, as always sir!

[@alby4548]

Once lust filled Henry VIII rejected the true Faith of which previously he had wrote a book called In Defense of the Seven Sacraments which merited the Defender of the Faith title bestowed by the pope. His godless daughter Elizabeth imposed demonic laws on catholics and many martyrs she made., A true daughter of hell.along with Thomas Cranmer and Oliver Cromwell and their new man made religion. It's prophesied that England will be converted back to the True Faith.

[@mickusable]

OMG Kevin, what an awful way to meet your maker, whoever that may be, but all kudos to Margaret for sticking to her beliefs 🤘🏹

[@briannewton3535]

Indeed. Christians killing Christians who worship the exact same god. You would think they would maybe pick on killing the Hindus, Buddhists or atheists at least. Christians eh, totally irrational behaviour. 😅

[@briannewton3535]

Umm... my makers are sadly already dead. I wont be seeing them again. They were wonderful parents, and I think of them often. I hope you appreciate or appreciated your makers also, as it does take two to make us humans.

[@murrayangus]

I believe this to be a not uncommon and sometimes elected method of execution, simply because the accused had not been found guilty in a Crown proceedings and therefore the assets of the accused would not be ceased by the Crown. This was important if the accused wanted his/her family to retain possession of their property/assets.

[@louisavondart9178]

Women couldn't own propery in those days.

[@murrayangus]

@@louisavondart9178 I believe this to be true. The predominant inheritance rule throughout the rest of England in the medieval period and afterwards was male-preference primogeniture, whereby estates passed in total to the eldest son.

[@robertoaguiar8082]

@@louisavondart9178 ​ according to her wikipedia page (not always the best source, but anyway…): “She refused to plead, thereby preventing a trial that would entail her three children being made to testify, and being subjected to torture.”

[@user-qq1tn2br2t]

On a school trip to York we visited a convent where they had St Margaret Clitheroe’s hand on display in a glass jar. This was back in the 1970s

[@regwatson2017]

I bet she won all the arguments at home.

[@jabger]

One quick clarification, going to purgatory does Not mean that you won't go to heaven, just the opposite in fact. It means that you will be going to heaven but just not yet as you're not ready for heaven yet. It's the place you go when you will go to heaven, but have yet to be made perfectly clean of spirit, having no more attachment to sin.

[@SonOfTheOne111]

What if you don’t have a front door? Or you are a renter? Is a door provided by the state?!? 😂 She certainly seemed determined to get martyred. The Anglicans kind of did her a favor. Probably why Elizabeth didn’t approve.

[@damedavidfrith55]

Thanks for another cracking vlog very interesting story 😊

[@fieldsofomagh]

St Margaret was a shining light for the people of England and her Catholic faith. She was a martyr after her saviour, Jesus Christ. St Margaret pray for us sinners.

[@briannewton3535]

I always find it intriguing that those who worship Jesus Christ will torture and kill someone for simply worshiping... Jesus Christ. Christianity, I guess it's just as irrational as all the other religions available to follow I suppose.

[@wolfgangholtzclaw2637]

What a horrible time to live. In the USA the first ten amendments to our Constitution are called the Citizen's Bill of Rights, and in the first Amendment of the Bill of Rights, it states "the right to worship shall not be infringed". Peace and love. And I love all my friends, Catholic, Protestant, and especially the sinners.

[@valley_robot]

But in your country, the United States of America, you allow people to die because of your right to bear arms , you allow children to suffer and die because your healthcare is a paid system that poor people can not even think about using, your constitutional nonsense is making your country look like idiots, your constitutional bills do not mean anything , your country hates Muslims and Hindus and anyone who isn’t white , your country was still using the segregation of black people up and till the 1960s, the USA is not that progressive or great, it’s just ran by massive wealth companies like Lockheed Martin

[@Theoriginalsparkythemagicpiano]

You realise that this isn’t recent history right? Protection of religion is enshrined in the Brit constitution too…

[@wolfgangholtzclaw2637]

@@Theoriginalsparkythemagicpiano Oh, on the field at Runnymede, with King John and the Barons??? Yeah that was at least four or five months ago... am I correct Sparky?? LOL!!! And as far as the British Constitution which I greatly respect is concerned.. when we became our own country, couldn't count on your Lords and Commoners enforcing our rights, so we took great solace in your protections and guaranteed our own. Thanks for the Inspiration!!!

[@briannewton3535]

The sinners? I guess they would be all the Catholics and Protestants then.

[@wolfgangholtzclaw2637]

@@briannewton3535 NO, that would be me and you Brian!!! Ha Haaaa!!!!

[@mojoman2001]

What a shame that she was killed and that she allowed herself to die for absolute nonsense.

[@briannewton3535]

So many have died for their magical thinking, or kill through their magical thinking.